Synopses & Reviews
LETHAL JUSTICE When Tokyo falls victim to a deadly terrorist attack, Detective Sergeant Mariko Oshiro knows who is responsible, even if she doesnt have proof. She urges her commanding officers to arrest the perpetratoran insane zealot who was just released from police custody. When her pleas fall on deaf ears, she loses her temper and then her badge, as well as her best chance of fighting back.
Left on her own, and armed with only her cunning and her famed Inazuma blade, Mariko must work outside the system to stop a terrorist mastermind. But going rogue draws the attention of an underground syndicate known as the Wind. For centuries, they have controlled Japanese politics from the shadows, using mystical relics to achieve their nefarious endsrelics like Marikos own sword and the iron demon mask whose evil curse is bound to the blade. Now the Wind is set on acquiring Mariko.
Mariko is left with a perilous choice: Join an illicit insurgency to thwart a deadly villain, or remain true to the law. Either way, she cannot escape her swords curse. As sure as the blade will bring her to victory, it also promises to destroy her
.
Review
"Steve Bein's
Daughter of the Sword is a strikingly original saga blending contemporary thriller and historical fantasy. Enthralling ... A noir modern Tokyo overwhelmed by the shadows of Japanese history. The research is convincing, the touch light. A compelling multifaceted vision of a remarkable culture, and a great page-turner."--Stephen Baxter, author of
Stone Spring "A sharp and superb urban fantasy, Daughter of the Sword is the perfect melding of skillful prose, fascinating characters, and compelling story. Steve Bein effortlessly combines history and legend with a modern procedural in a book that will have you staying up late to finish it."--Diana Rowland, author of Sins of the Demon
"Steve Bein's Daughter of the Sword really captured my imagination. The interweaving of historical Japanese adventure and modern police procedural, Tokyo-style, caught me from two unexpected directions. A tight read, lots of great tension, and epic stakes."--Jay Lake, author of Green and Mainspring
Review
"Steve Bein's
Daughter of the Sword is a strikingly original saga blending contemporary thriller and historical fantasy. Enthralling ... A noir modern Tokyo overwhelmed by the shadows of Japanese history. The research is convincing, the touch light. A compelling multifaceted vision of a remarkable culture, and a great page-turner."—Stephen Baxter, author of
Stone Spring
"A sharp and superb urban fantasy, Daughter of the Sword is the perfect melding of skillful prose, fascinating characters, and compelling story. Steve Bein effortlessly combines history and legend with a modern procedural in a book that will have you staying up late to finish it."—Diana Rowland, author of Sins of the Demon
"Steve Bein's Daughter of the Sword really captured my imagination. The interweaving of historical Japanese adventure and modern police procedural, Tokyo-style, caught me from two unexpected directions. A tight read, lots of great tension, and epic stakes."—Jay Lake, author of Green and Mainspring
"Beins gripping debut is a meticulously researched, highly detailed blend of urban and historical fantasy set in modern Tokyo."—Publishers Weekly
"An epic tale that heralds the emergence of a major talent...one of the best debuts I have ever read. Grab it ASAP and see for yourself why Steve Bein deserves all the praise coming his way."—Fantasy Book Critic
"A beautiful...totally unique novel."—Between Dreams and Reality
"Ends with a bang...it shall be interesting to read the next book in the series."—Gizmo Reviews
"A superb effort from a new author, polished and stylish."—Otherwhere Gazette
"An interesting and absorbing read, I really recommend it and can't wait to see what happens next in this series."—Under the Covers
"Beautiful writing, a smart and resilient protagonist who meets her match in a coldly demented villain. The procedural elements are tight and fascinatingly different...I was bewitched."—All Things Urban Fantasy
"If you love reading about far-away places, historical fiction and fantasy, this book should definitely be on your list."—Literal Addiction
"A unique read, a combination of the paranormal and a police procedural...I was more than satisfied."—Goldilox and the Three Weres
"What a great first novel, I can't wait for the next one. It is rich in all aspects of Japanese history. I was totally enchanted from the beginning and couldn't put it down."—Night Owl Reviews
"If you have any interest in Japanese culture, samurais, bushido...ah hell, just read it...freaking epic."—Pure Textuality
Review
“A strikingly original saga blending contemporary thriller and historical fantasy.”—Stephen Baxter
“One of the best debuts I have ever read…an epic tale that heralds the emergence of a major talent.”—Fantasy Book Critic
“Authentic and riveting.”—Kylie Chan, author of Heaven to Wudang
“[A] gripping debut…meticulously researched.”—Publishers Weekly (Starred Review)
Review
Praise for Daughter of the Sword
“A noir modern Tokyo overwhelmed by the shadows of Japanese history…a compelling multifaceted vision of a remarkable culture, and a great page-turner.”—Stephen Baxter, author of Iron Winter
“Effortlessly combines history and legend with a modern procedural…will have you staying up late to finish it.”—Diana Rowland, author of Touch of the Demon
“An authentic and riveting thrill ride through both ancient and modern Japan. Definitely a winner.”—Kylie Chan, author of Hell to Heaven
“Beins gripping debut is a meticulously researched, highly detailed blend of urban and historical fantasy set in modern Tokyo.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“One of the best debuts I have ever read…an epic tale that heralds the emergence of a major talent.”—Fantasy Book Critic
“Daughter of the Sword reads like James Clavells Shogun would have if it had been crossed with high fantasy by way of a police procedural.”—Otherwhere Gazette
“Magic swords and samurai set alongside drugs and modern Tokyo and all blending in together to produce an engrossing and original story.”—Under the Covers
“A gritty and compelling police procedural…written in beautiful and exotic detail.”—All Things Urban Fantasy
Review
PRAISE FOR THE NOVELS OF THE FATED BLADES “Amazingly well-crafted.”—Diana Rowland, author of Touch of the Demon
“Theres no doubting the authenticity of Beins creation as he elegantly binds all the elements together.”—Kirkus Reviews
“A noir modern Tokyo overwhelmed by the shadows of Japanese history…a compelling multifaceted vision of a remarkable culture, and a great page-turner.”—Stephen Baxter, author of Iron Winter
“An authentic and riveting thrill ride through both ancient and modern Japan. Definitely a winner.”—Kylie Chan, author of Heaven to Wudang
“Beins gripping debut is a meticulously researched, highly detailed blend of urban and historical fantasy set in modern Tokyo.…Beins scrupulous attention to verisimilitude helps bring all the settings to life, respectfully showcasing Japans distinctive cultures and attitudes.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)
Review
Praise for Year of the Demon “I am utterly addicted to this series! Steve Bein avoids sophomore slump with brilliant ease in this sequel to Daughter of the Sword, and continues to surprise and captivate with exquisite tension and terrific characters in an amazingly well-crafted mystery. I cant wait for the next one!”—Diana Rowland, author of Touch of the Demon
“Gripping…Bein combines the best parts of police procedurals, buddy-cop films, historical fantasy, and intrigue-laden adventure, enhancing them with painstaking research and attention to atmosphere.”—Publishers Weekly
“Theres no doubting the authenticity of Beins creation as he elegantly binds all the elements together.”—Kirkus Reviews
“Bein excels beyond any history lovers wildest imagination with exceptionally researched, vivid depictions of ancient Japan.”—Romantic Times
“[Bein is] not a one-book wonder. Year of the Demon is a darker story that excoriates its characters much more than was thought possible…A good follow-up to one of my favorite debuts of all time.”—Fantasy Book Critic
“Part thriller, part police procedural, part historical and part urban fantasy, Year of the Demon is simply a book for people who like to read. It has something for everyone and Bein does an amazing job of weaving them all together into a fascinating story.”—All Things Urban Fantasy
Synopsis
ANCIENT POWER
As the only female detective in Tokyo s most elite police unit, Mariko Oshiro has to fight for every ounce of respect, especially from her new boss. But when he gives her the least promising case possible the attempted theft of an old samurai sword it proves more dangerous than anyone on the force could have imagined.
The owner of the sword, Professor Yasuo Yamada, says it was crafted by the legendary Master Inazuma, a sword smith whose blades are rumored to have magical qualities. The man trying to steal it already owns another Inazuma one whose deadly power eventually comes to control all who wield it.
Mariko s investigation has put her on a collision course with a curse centuries old and as bloodthirsty as ever. She is only the latest in a long line of warriors and soldiers to confront this power, and even the sword she learns to wield could turn against her."
Synopsis
Mariko Oshiro is not your average Tokyo cop. As the only female detective in the city’s most elite police unit, she has to fight for every ounce of respect, especially from her new boss. While she wants to track down a rumored cocaine shipment, he gives her the least promising case possible. But the case—the attempted theft of an old samurai sword—proves more dangerous than anyone on the force could have imagined.
The owner of the sword, Professor Yasuo Yamada, says it was crafted by the legendary Master Inazuma, a sword smith whose blades are rumored to have magical qualities. The man trying to steal it already owns another Inazuma—one whose deadly power eventually comes to control all who wield it. Or so says Yamada, and though he has studied swords and swordsmanship all his life, Mariko isn’t convinced.
But Mariko’s skepticism hardly matters. Her investigation has put her on a collision course with a curse centuries old and as bloodthirsty as ever. She is only the latest in a long line of warriors and soldiers to confront this power, and even the sword she learns to wield could turn against her.
Synopsis
A MASK OF DESTRUCTION
Detective Sergeant Mariko Oshiro has been promoted to Japans elite Narcotics unitand with this promotion comes a new partner, a new case, and new danger. The underboss of a powerful yakuza crime syndicate has put a price on her head, and hell lift the bounty only if she retrieves an ancient iron demon mask that was stolen from him in a daring raid. However, Mariko has no idea of the tumultuous past carried within the maskor of its deadly link with the famed Inazuma blade she wields.
The secret of this mask originated hundreds of years before Mariko was born, and over time the masks power has evolved to bend its owner toward destruction, stopping at nothing to obtain Inazuma steel. Marikos fallen sensei knew much of the masks hypnotic power and of its mysterious link to a murderous cult. Now Mariko must use his notes to find the mask before the cult can bring Tokyo to its kneesand before the underboss decides her time is up....
About the Author
Steve Bein teaches philosophy at Texas State University. He has a PhD in philosophy, and his graduate work took him to Nanzan University and Obirin University in Japan, where he translated a seminal work in the study of Zen Buddhism. He holds black belts in two American forms of combative martial arts and has trained in about two-dozen other martial arts over the past twenty-odd years.His short fiction has been published in
Asimov's, Interzone,
Writers of the Future, and has been anthologized for use in college courses alongside the works of such figures as Orson Scott Card, Larry Niven, Isaac Asimov, and H.G. Wells. His Novels of the Fated Blades include
Daughter of the Sword,
Year of the Demon, and
Disciple of the Wind.